The Antihero Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Honoring Deputy Nunez, New Court Attire, Cops Kill Monkeys...
Date: October 30, 2025
Host: Mike (The Antihero Podcast)
Co-Host: Mike
Guest: Gary Windheim (Retired Captain, Eustace Police Department)
Occasional Panel: Jimmy

Episode Overview

This Halloween-themed episode of The Antihero Podcast is "all truth" and delivers a candid, sometimes irreverent, look at recent events particularly impacting law enforcement, first responders, and veterans. The core theme centers around honoring the fallen Deputy Andrew Nunez while simultaneously exploring the complexities, challenges, and absurdities encountered in police and military service. The episode also includes guest Gary Windheim sharing his experience with critical incidents, shootings, and the lackluster institutional mental health response faced by many officers.

Episode Breakdown

1. Honoring Deputy Andrew Nunez (Starts [02:35])

• Discussion: Details surrounding the recent tragic shooting of Deputy Andrew Nunez, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
  • Deputy Nunez responded to a domestic threat call and was shot upon arrival.
  • His killer was apprehended after a high-speed chase, aided by an off-duty officer.
• Important Quotes:
  • "You are already behind the curb in something that's going on and could be very dangerous to you. And unfortunately, this fucking coward was able to take the life of Deputy Nunez." – Host Mike ([06:07])
  • "I just wish there was more of a separation because the guy took off on the bike, led with a California highway patrol on a high speed pursuit." – Host Mike ([05:01])
• Notable Moment: Concerns that Deputy Nunez’s heroism is overshadowed by news of the chase and the killer’s capture.
• Charity Info:
  • Legitimate donation link provided: PORAC.org – Peace Officers Research Association of California ([13:38])
  • "Donations is paramount in something like this. Because yes, life insurance will pay out. But how long does it take?" – Host Mike ([14:45])

2. Broader Law Enforcement Reflections ([15:40])

• On Domestic Violence Calls:

  • "Well, we have several shootings from domestic calls and you know, tensions are high. People do irrational things." – Co-host Mike ([07:32])
  • All co-hosts stress the unpredictability and dangers of “routine” police calls.

• On Benefits & Division in Society:

  • Heated discussion about public assistance programs, with concerns about dependency and social division.
  • "It's become expected... Expectations." – Gary Windheim ([17:14])
  • "It was never meant to be a lifestyle." – Gary Windheim ([18:57])

3. "Cops Killing Monkeys": The Mississippi Monkey Incident ([20:04])

• Story Recap:
  • Truck carrying 21 test monkeys crashes; early, incorrect reports say monkeys are infected (COVID, Hep C, herpes).
  • Deputies on-site, misinformed about infection risk, shoot five monkeys.
  • Later, the university denies the monkeys were infectious.
  • Three monkeys escape into the wild.
• Memorable Quotes:
  • "Turns out so the monkey though the monkeys did not have any diseases, and the sheriff corrected the record later today..." – Host Mike ([21:20])
  • "I'm not shooting a monkey." – Co-Host Mike ([23:20])
• Segment Tone: Mix of dark humor and incredulity over media coverage and agency overreaction.

4. Use-of-Force Cases: The Boiling Water Cop ([29:07])

• Incident Recap:
  • Police respond to a mentally ill woman; during the encounter, she throws boiling water at an officer and is shot and killed.
  • Debated whether lethal force was justified.
• Perspective:
  • General agreement it was an avoidable tragedy; could have been handled by retreating/disengaging.
• Standout Quotes:
  • "If you have the opportunity to get out, get out." – Co-Host Mike ([33:04])
  • "This old lady in her moomoo and slippers... I'm out right now." – Jimmy ([34:37])
• Discussion Point: Consequences for officers, bad training, and societal expectations.

5. Critical Incidents & PTSD: Guest Gary Windheim’s Stories ([39:11, 43:35, 75:06])

• PTSD in Law Enforcement:

  • Gary discusses being involved in several shootings (including out-of-jurisdiction incidents and being shot himself).
  • Sheds light on the emotional and psychological toll these incidents have on officers and the inadequate institutional support available post-shooting.
    • "It's not an easy thing to do... but it sounds good until you're the guy that does it." – Gary ([56:44])
    • "I didn't feel the love from the department... It's apartment love." – Gary ([56:28])
  • Lack of Aftercare:
    • "Nobody came to my house. Nobody called my wife. She sat on the back porch until I came home." – Gary ([62:59])
  • How Departments Should Respond:
    • Consensus that aftercare is overlooked, with leadership often unprepared to support officers or families in the aftermath.

• Notable Quotes about Critical Incidents:

  • "We train on use of force incidents up until the point that you pull the trigger. And then we go in scenario, and then it gets..." – Gary ([58:40])
  • "They don't train on how to respond to your worst day." – Co-Host Mike ([60:21])

[Gary’s Shooting Stories Begin ~43:35, 75:06]

6. Levity & Satire: Detroit Underwear Cop ([84:02])

• Segment: Detroit PD officer appears in Zoom court wearing only a shirt and boxers; gets called out by judge.
• Clip Reaction:
  • "How do you go on court...with your pants off?" – Host Mike ([85:01])
  • Panel laughs at both the absurdity and the officer’s candor.

7. International Tension & Military Analysis ([88:20])

• Topics:
  • Trump, Russia, and China nuclear posturing.
  • The South China Sea incident (two US aircraft fall from the sky, laser warfare rumors).
  • Triad explanation (ICBMs, bombers, subs).
  • Historical take on deterrence; military anecdotes and possibilities of new global warfare technology.
• Quote:
  • "China claimed that they could have a nuclear weapon in any city in America in 20 minutes." – Co-Host Mike ([90:35])
  • "I think what we're actually seeing is...mutually assured destruction." – Jimmy ([95:01])

Notable Quotes (With Timestamps)

• "You are already behind the curb in something that's going on and could be very dangerous to you. And unfortunately this fucking coward was able to take the life of Deputy Nunez." – Host Mike ([06:07])
• "It's become expected." – Gary Windheim ([17:14])
• "If you have the opportunity to get out, get out." – Co-Host Mike ([33:04])
• "It's not an easy thing to do... but it sounds cool until you're the guy that does it." – Gary W. ([56:44])
• "Nobody came to my house. Nobody called my wife. She sat on the back porch until I came home." – Gary W. ([62:59])
• "How do you go on court...with your pants off?" – Host Mike ([85:01])
• "I think what we're actually seeing is...mutually assured destruction." – Jimmy ([95:01])

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:35] – Deputy Nunez memorial & case rundown
• [20:04] – Cops Kill Monkeys (monkey truck incident)
• [29:07] – "Boiling water cop" use of force debate
• [39:11] – Gary's first shooting story (out of jurisdiction; pedophile)
• [75:06] – Gary describes being shot in the line of duty
• [84:02] – Detroit underwear cop Zoom court segment
• [88:20] – Trump, China, and international power posturing

Overall Tone

• Language and Style: Unfiltered, irreverent, and plainly honest.
• Mood: A balance of tribute, frustration, black humor, and camaraderie.
• Panel Dynamic: Candid peer-to-peer conversation, seasoned with military and police anecdotes, policy criticism, and gallows humor.

Summary for Non-Listeners

In this episode, The Antihero Podcast team pays tribute to slain Deputy Andrew Nunez, scrutinizes the way police shootings are covered and processed both by the media and within law enforcement culture, and shares first-hand stories of trauma and survival from the front lines. The banter is frank and occasionally off-color, but the insights into police procedure, trauma, and the reality behind the badge are sobering. The hosts also don’t shy away from poking fun at the absurdities of modern policing—like attending court in underwear or being ordered to shoot monkeys based on rumor—reminding listeners that behind every tragedy or viral news byte, there are real people facing complicated, dangerous, often thankless situations.

For further insight:

• Check out Gary Windheim's extended interview on “Locked Up With Copville” (Cobalogy YouTube).
• To donate to Deputy Nunez’s family: https://porac.org
• For more, tune in to the Night Shift on the Counterculture YouTube, Thursday nights at 8pm.